Around the World in 180 Days
18-Mar-2001 Amy and I flew into Santorini on a warm and sunnyMonday morning, upon arriving Amy was so very amusedthat a bus waited for us when we alighted from theaircraft... big enough to carry about 80 people. Thisbus took us around the aircraft and up a small hillapprox. 105 meters away... hehehe she was so amused...wondered why we could not just walk the distance...anyway this was a good start to our stay. OurApartment owner waited for us as we came into thesunlight from the airport. We jumped into a bus thathad religious icons of the Virgin Mary and a Crossdangling from the visor... we had to step overbuilding materials as we made our way to our seats. Wewere excited with the anticipation of being on thisbeautiful little island only 72sq meters in area. Wearrived at our little apartment with a view "to diefor". It overlooked the Giant Caldera, violentlycreated by the Volcanic eruption of 1500BC... perchedon the edge of a cliff, we stood on our balcony withour hearts feeling the peace of this island. We feltand saw instantly the unique beauty of Santorini... "asilence of soul beauty".
White and blue buildings covered the edge of the cliffface, formed by the same volcanic eruption thatcreated the Giant Cauldra. This eruption ended an era,a lifestyle not to be reclaimed for centuries later.The Volcanic core still emits a mist that gives an"Island in the Sky" feel to this place. The lava isonly 1000 meters down (nobody told me this... :o)
The spirituality of this little island no doubt causesmuch reflecting of the soul to be done... and I was nodifferent than thousands who had come before me. It has372 Churches so you have a bit of an idea of howdevout the inhabitants are.
The archaeological Digs in Akrotiri are an experience. This city was partially destroyed by an earthquake 12months before the major eruption of the Volcano in1500BC. The settling ash from the eruption preservedthe buildings and utensils perfectly. Imagine being ina city that existed so long ago... 1500BC and beyond. Imade my way through the roads excavated and imaginedthe busy lifestyle of the Ancients... closed my eyesand imagined I could hear the busy chatter of the shopkeepers and the cry of a child... the bark of a dog...Amy and I were fascinated... held transfixed.
Arriving at the tail end of the Off season weencountered much construction, renovating of shops andstore keepers re-stocking the shops ready for thefirst influx of tourists of "Mid Season"... we hadtimed it well... not too many people. I have to tellyou we discovered that the Greek's can get buses andlarge machinery into the smallest of openingshehehehe... many times we stopped in the small cobbledstoned streets to watch a "HUGE" earth mover beingmaneuvered into a place that would not fit it... but itdid!!!! I wanted to applaud, Amy was embarrassed bysuch a show of spontaneity... hehehehehe "talk aboutsquare pegs in round holes".
We walked everywhere, wound our way around thisisland,saw the sunsets it is famous for... theWonderful hillside mansions of Ia... the ruins... thelittle cafes, experienced the silence of the sea aswe enjoyed sunsets from our balcony. We were reluctantto leave this island, as both of us were at peace,relaxed and happy... the peace of soul had beenSantorini's magic gift to us both.
Minutes before we were to leave I walked out onto thebalcony to whisper a soft goodbye to Santorini. Iwatched the large Ferry glide through the peacefulwaters of the Caldera, the breeze was slight as ittouched my face, the air had no fragrance, just pure,fresh and clean. I will never forget this time on thislittle island of Cyclades.
My love and hugs to you all,
Wendy
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